Wolfsfoot (Kingdom of Wolves #1)

“I think we may have to get you a few clothes because you’llhave not been able to carry much in that small backpack.”

“Oh, I’m okay, I don’t need much. I have two changes ofclothes and my training gear. That’s all I need, as I’m only here for twoweeks.” I give her a smile, but she’s frowning and shaking her head at me.

“I’ll leave you for now and come back in an hour, then we’llgo eat in the dining room where we can introduce you to the pack. We don’tdress up for meals, just casual and clean.”

“Thank you.” I murmur, as I’m not sure if this is going tobe as good a visit as I thought. It feels like I’m under observation even bythe Luna, although she is being kind.

Once the Luna has left the bedroom, I take my clothes out ofmy backpack and shake them out. Placing them in the huge walk-in closet has megrinning because it looks ridiculous, but I’m not worried. I’ve never had muchand I don’t need much to survive.

Checking out the bathroom, I gasp at the huge claw bath.It’s magnificent and I think, I’ve an hour. Why not? Turning on the taps, Isprinkle bath foam into the water and walk back into the bedroom. I check ifthe door is locked, a lesson I learned a few years ago, but never to berepeated. An unlocked door leads to anything happening to you while you aremost vulnerable. I take out clean underwear, skinny jeans and a t-shirt with aslogan on the front that states, ‘life is hard, but live it.’

Relaxing in the bath is pure bliss. I lean back and close myeyes, enjoying the smell of roses the bath foam is giving and think about thetwo weeks to come. I need to learn every lesson that they want to teach me andlearn them well.

We’ll be alright, Tati. We can fight, we can do accountsand we know how to cook and clean. We are not helpless as some females are, wecan only get better.

‘Yeah, I know, it just overwhelms sometimes.’ I reply toEbony but close my eyes and breathe gently for another ten minutes before Iknow I have to get a move on.

Dried, dressed and brushing my hair vigorously to make sureall knots are out. My black hair is shining and looks healthy. It’s shoulderlength and I’m not sure I want to tie it up as I usually wear it because if Ileave it down, I know I can hide behind it if I need to.

No hiding. You are Alpha female. We keep head up,shoulders back and be proud. No hiding behind our hair or anything else. Ebonygrowls at me and looking at her in my mind, she’s sitting, giving me a scoldinglook.

‘Okay, no hiding behind hair, or anything else.’

Tapping on the door gets my attention and I quickly walkover and open the door. I’m taken by surprise when a young man is standingthere looking down at me. He is giving me an assessing look, and I quicklysurmise he is the Alpha’s son as his eyes are as dark as the Alpha’s.

“Good evening. I’m here to escort you to the dining room. Myname’s Lyle, my father is the Alpha.” He pauses and I’m waiting to see if hesays more, but when nothing happens, I stutter.

“Helll…loo, I’m Tati, Tatiana Winterstorm, but everyonecalls me Tati. It’s nice to meet you, Lyle.” I give him a slight smile beforeclosing the bedroom door behind me and walk towards the stairs, turning when Irealize he isn’t beside me.

Realizing he’s staring, Lyle bolts forward, chuckling to himself.“Sorry, you caught me off guard. You are very beautiful.”

A blush rushes into my cheeks and I give him a small smilewhen I see his smile drop from his face. A frown appears between his eyebrowsand a slight curl on his top lip.

Following his gaze, I see Lavender walking towards us with anasty look on her face. Rolling my eyes because I’ve seen so many like her inthe old pack that it’s just exhausting to watch them.

“What do you want Lavender?” Lyle snaps.

“It’s time for the evening meal. I was looking for you so wecan sit together. You don’t want to be sitting with the hired help.” She givesme a dirty look, and I snicker before speaking.

“I’m not hired help, and you best be careful how you speakto me. I’m a guest of Alpha Walker and Luna Cinder. I am also here with ashifter council member.” I don’t shout or show any sign of emotion, just aplain and simple response.

“You’re a nobody. You’ve come from the rogue town. Just arogue wanting to get something free.” Curling her lip at me nastily.

Lyle, however, has heard and had enough. “You will shut yourmouth and walk away, or I’ll speak to my father about disrespecting visitors tothe pack. Tatiana has been invited here and if I hear you’ve made her lifemiserable, you’ll answer for it to the shifter council, as well as your Alpha.”

“That’s correct, Lavender.” Turning when we hear the voice.“I’ve already spoken to you about your attitude and leaving my son alone. He isnot your mate; he’ll never be your mate. Move on or move out. This is the lasttime I’m warning you.” Luna Cinder is furious. You can see it in the way hereyes are swirling. Her wolf is fighting to come out, but she’s able to keep herlocked down and quiet.

“What’s going on here?” A masculine voice asks and turningagain, I see a man around 5’ 11” but very muscular walking up to us.

“Oh, Chief Glen. Everything is fine. Isn’t it Lavender?”Luna Cinder says in a hard voice.

“Yes, Luna, everything is fine.” Lavender tries to soundmeek, but I don’t think she’s kidding any of us. You can see in her eyes she’snot taken anything the Luna has said to heart.

“Move along, Lavender, or you’ll miss the meal, because I’llput you on patrol instead.” The man called Chief Glen states with a hard voiceand his cold eyes look directly at her, causing her to turn tail and quicklywalk away.

“I’m sorry Tati, if she causes you trouble, you let me knowand we’ll deal with her. This is Glen, our chief warrior. He’ll be working withyou during your stay here.”

I give the Luna a smile and hold my hand out to shake withChief Glen. He takes my hand in his huge hand and gives it a gentle shake. “Oh,this is Tatiana Winterstorm. It’s a delight to meet you. I knew your father; hewas a good man. I’m sorry for your loss.”